Rainbow Crosswalk in Palm Springs' Arenas District to be removed on Friday

Eliana Perez, Palm Springs Desert Sun
·1 min read
Tom Maccarone of Palm Springs takes a photograph of the crosswalk on Arenas Road at Calle Encilia in Palm Springs on Oct. 18, 2021. (Photo: Taya Gray, The Desert Sun)
Tom Maccarone of Palm Springs takes a photograph of the crosswalk on Arenas Road at Calle Encilia in Palm Springs on Oct. 18, 2021. (Photo: Taya Gray, The Desert Sun)

The colorful crosswalk on Arenas Road in Palm Springs will be removed on Friday, according to a social media post from the city. The city's post specified that the crosswalk is "well-worn" and will be stripped at the request of the Arenas Road merchants.

Palm Springs Public Information Officer Amy Blaisdell said that because the crosswalk paint is fading, the city is working on a new design rather than repeatedly repainting the rainbow colors.

History of crosswalk

The Rainbow Crosswalk was originally painted in October 2021, in the popular LGBT business neighborhood known as the Arenas District.

Will traffic be impacted?

Removal is scheduled for 6 a.m. on Friday, though the street will remain open.

New design in works

The city said another design that is "unique" to the district will take its place.

"The city is working with the Arenas Business District to come up with a unique landmark design celebrating the LGBTQ+ district," Blaisdell said.

Eliana Perez covers the eastern Coachella Valley, including the cities of Indio and Coachella. Reach her at eliana.perez@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ElianaPress.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: What we know: Rainbow Crosswalk in Palm Springs to be removed